Saint Louis Art Museum Lunar New Year Festival
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Explore Chinese, Korean, and Taiwanese culture with activities, performances, and demonstrations. Special performances including a Lion Dance and T’ai Chi and Kung Fu demonstrations start at 2 pm in the Sculpture Hall. Free.

University City Lunar New Year 2017February 3 and 4, 2017
Experience parades, lion dances, authentic Chinese food, 50 local artists, hands-on activities, and performances. Performances are in partnership with the Lunar New Year Festival student run organization of Washington University. Free.

Lunar New Year Festival at the Edison Theatre
6465 Forsyth Boulevard
February 10, 2017 at 7 pm
February 11, 2017 at 2 pm and 7 pm
The Lunar New Year Festival (LNYF) is an annual event on the Washington University Campus celebrating the Lunar New Year and promoting awareness of the different aspects of Asian culture from China to Korea and more. This spectacular show in the Edison Theatre, is a completely student-run production and promotes interaction and unity among the various Asian groups on campus. Through a great variety of exciting performances of acting, dancing, and music, people of all backgrounds can enjoy and celebrate the New Year together. Tickets $10.

The Used Book Sale at the J is one of my favorite sales of the year. In the past, some of the great family friendly items that I have discovered are out-of-print children’s books, newer beginning readers and board books, unused sticker books, massive atlases, piano scores, children’s dictionaries, old textbooks with fascinating drawings that are excellent for art projects, cookbooks, kids joke books, and much more. The bargain priced items vary of course from sale to sale, but you never know what you will find.

The volunteers are very helpful and the sale is well organized. Be sure to keep an eye out for books underneath the tables as some of that stock does not get looked through as often. Plastic bags are provided but feel free to bring your own sturdier bag in case you end up with more than an armful of books. I have also seen friendly volunteers help Moms if they have a squirmy or non-stop chatty child or need assistance loading their car.

Books may be dropped off at the Jewish Community Center’s Arts and Education Building. Please limit drop off at this location to one box or less. You may also drop books off at H. F. Epstein Hebrew Academy located just minutes from the “J” on 1138 Warson Road. All donors should report to the school office where you will connect with a building and grounds staff member who will assist you in unloading your books.

In preparation for the bi-annual Used Book Sales, volunteer markers are needed at Epstein Hebrew Academy to work on Tuesdays during the day. Volunteers will be trained and there is no heavy lifting. Volunteers can work a full shift or only a portion, 10 am to 3 pm. If you have any questions or wish to volunteer, please contact Zelda Sparks, 314.442.3169.

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis brings the magic of opera to children ages 5 – 14 with The Very Last Green Thing at the Touhill Performing Arts Center

Free Public Dress Rehearsal: October 19
School Day Matinees: October 21 through 25
Two Public Performances: October 26

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis continues its long-term commitment to inspiring the next generation of opera-goers with the production of The Very Last Green Thing, a young people’s opera by Cary John Franklin and Michael Patrick Albano. Originally commissioned by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis in 1992, The Very Last Green Thing is an environmental fable set 400 years in the future. The 35 minute production will be conducted by Vince Lee and is directed by Doug Scholz-Carlson. The cast features 18 talented young singers (ages 9-16) from across the bi-state area, as well as former OTSL Gerdine Young Artist Daniel Brevik.

In The Very Last Green Thing, audiences journey to a classroom in the year 2413, where a group of students is raised and taught by an android. On a rare field trip “outside,” a group of students discover something completely foreign to them – the very last green thing on earth, uncovering secrets from our planet’s past. A beautiful story for young people, the production introduces both opera and ecological issues to audiences of all ages. Eighteen singers were selected through a rigorous audition process to perform the majority of the roles in the production:

In keeping with the environmentally conscious themes of the opera, Opera Theatre is producing The Very Last Green Thing in a “green” manner, recycling and “up-cycling” a significant portion of the opera’s design. Set designer Scott C. Neale has imagined a world constructed in part from clear water bottles. Stacy Snyder Harris has employed similar ingenuity to the production’s costume design, as has lighting designer Joe Clapper. After the production closes in St. Louis, the sets and costumes will be re-purposed for a production at the Amarillo Opera in February of 2014, further reducing the production’s overall carbon footprint.

The Very Last Green Thing is made possible through generous support from both PNC Arts Alive and the Monsanto Fund, which also serves as the lead sponsor of Opera Theatre’s Monsanto Artists-in-Training program for high school students. The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. PNC Arts Alive is part of The PNC Foundation’s multi-year, $2 million investment in St. Louis that supports visual and performing arts groups with the goal of increasing arts access and engagement in new and innovative ways.

TicketsAs part of the American Arts Experience, Opera Theatre offers a limited block of free tickets to the production’s final orchestra dress rehearsal at the Lee Theater at the Touhill Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 3 pm. Students in grades 2-8 from across the St. Louis region will attend school day performances at 9:30 am and 11 am, Monday, October 21, 2013 through Friday, October 25, 2013. Tickets to these performances are $6 for students and teachers. Reservations for both the free orchestra dress rehearsal and the school performances can be made by phone at 314.963.4251 or via email to 251@opera-stl.org.

Two public performances will be offered Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 10 am and 11:30 am. Tickets to these performances are $10 for children and $12 for adults. Reservations for public performances can be made by phone at 314.516.4949 or online.

The Delmar Loop hosts its third annual chalk festival on Saturday, August 31, 2013 (rain date is September 1) at the Chuck Berry Statue, 6555 Delmar, 9 am to 5 pm. Great for artists of any age!

Artists can register and compete in one of four categories:

* Best of The Loop Theme: The Loop was designated “One of the 10 Great Streets in America” by the American Planning Association. Capture in chalk what you love most about The Loop.

* Chalk of Fame: Choose an inductee from the St. Louis Walk of Fame and portray an important aspect of his or her life or achievements through chalk.

* Most Creative: Free your mind. Draw anything.

* Chalk Land: Chalking space for children ages 12 and under.

Entry Fees for Artists (includes all supplies)

$10 for adults (ages 18 and up)

$8 for students (ages 13-18)

$6 for children (12 and under)

Free for spectators.

Prizes

The winning artists in each category will be featured on The Loop’s website with photos of their winning artwork, artistic biographies, and links to their portfolios or personal websites. Winners will also receive cash prizes and gift certificates from a variety of Loop businesses.

Register

Register here in advance. After registration is complete, artists should print out the confirmation of payment and bring it along with them to the event check-in on Saturday, August 31, 2013 starting at 9 am, at the Chuck Berry Statue. Participants will receive chalk and designated areas where they can get their chalk on! Be sure to arrive in time to complete your masterpiece. Judging is 5 to 6 pm. You can also register in person the day of the event.

Celebrate the joy of reading with your children! Pick up some new, entertaining, out of print, and well-priced reads at these upcoming book sales. Note: the preview days for both of these sales mainly tend to attract book sellers.

Greater St. Louis Book Fair is one of the nation’s oldest, largest, and most popular charity book sales. For over 60 years, book lovers and collectors have enjoyed bargain prices on a diverse and quality selection of new, gently-used, and rare books, as well as records, CDs, DVDs, comics, and more. Fair proceeds benefit local nonprofit education and literacy programs for underserved individuals in the St. Louis region. Most items are $1 to $5 each. Cash, check, and credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, and Discover) accepted.

The Community Music School of Webster University offers a variety of excellent summer music programs for children ages birth through 18 years old. Programs include: Family Camp (early childhood music), Band, Flute, Low Brass, String Orchestra, Chamber Music Encounter, Summer Composition Intensive, and Individual Lessons. The registration deadline for June camps is May 15 and deadline for July camps is June 15. For more information, call 314.968.5939.

Founded in 1925, CMS offers outstanding music education and performance opportunities to students of all ages and abilities and serves the entire St. Louis metropolitan region and beyond. Classes are available at CMS headquarters located on the Webster University campus in Webster Groves, at Faust Park in West County, and in University City. The Community Music School of Webster University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and is a certified member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education.

Prana Yoga in Des Peres offers a fun yoga class designed for kids age 5 to 13 on Wednesdays at 4:30 pm. No prior yoga experience is necessary and mats are available for use during class or bring your own. The 45 minute session is $10 and caregivers can participate with their child as well. Be sure to wear clothes that are easy to move in.

Yoga instructors, Jessica Key of Mini Yoga STL, or Mara Bruce, create a friendly and dynamic atmosphere, filled with downward dog, wheel, cobra, hand stands against the wall, and much more. This yoga class is a great after school activity for kids (and Moms too!) to get some exercise, take some deep breaths, and regroup after a busy day.

Prana Yoga is a beautiful and thoughtfully designed yoga facility located at 11771 Manchester Road in Des Peres. The studio is beneath the Terra gift store in the Ace Hardware shopping plaza. Mary Jane Cusumano and Melanie Zuanich opened the studio in 2011 and have built an enthusiastic and dedicated yoga community.

There is an abundance of excellent summer camp offerings in the St. Louis region for kids of all ages. Looking for something special for your little arts enthusiast? Here are some suggestions. Classes are filling up quickly, so be sure to register soon. Note, some nonprofit organizations offer discounts for members.

Laumeier Sculpture Park
4 to 6 year olds get to create artwork with composer-in-residence, Eric Hall! Expect fun experiences at these week long outdoor summer camps that explore the Laumeier Sculpture Park’s incredible collection. The average staff to camper ratio is 1:7. For kids ages 4 to 15. The park is located in the Sunset Hills area. Summer camp brochure.

Yucandu Art Studio
Located in Webster Groves, this unique hands on art studio offers small visual art camps for grades K-12. Projects include painting, decoupage, collage, mosaics, and more. For those of you who head scout troops or have a million cousins in the area, Yucandu also offers a special friends and family summer camp designed for 8 to 16 kids.

The College School
Also located in Webster Groves, the Reggio-Emilia geared College School offers all day camps for ages 4 to 15. Arts themed camps include Funtastic Fantasy, Make Your Mark, Junior Circus Skills, Science, Art, and Cooking, and Art by Nature. Summer camp brochure.

Camp Curtain Call at The Magic House
Children ages 8-11 can experience the magic of live theater during a weeklong drama camp at The Magic House. Through activities and games, campers learn about putting on a theatrical production including basic theater terms, line readings, projection, stage directions, rehearsing, props, scenery, and dress rehearsal. Participants present their theatrical production to a live audience and then give a special performance for their families on the last day of camp.

Community Music School of Webster University
Summer opportunities for infants through high school students include a family “zoo train” session for children and their caregivers, band camp, flute camp, low brass week, chamber music camp, strings camp, composing camp, and individual instruction.

Opera Theatre of St. Louis Youth entering grades fourth through eighth spend a week singing, dancing, writing words and music, making instruments, and learning about costumes and makeup, lighting, and set design. They tour backstage, work with Opera Theatre of St. Louis professionals and leading music educators, and see a performance of Unsuk Chin’s Alice in Wonderland. Located in Webster Groves. Summer camp brochure.

Piwacket Theatre for Children
Located in Maplewood, this delightful children’s theater offers week long camps for children ages 6 to 15. Participants create an original show through games, music, dance, theater, and play.

Craft AllianceThese summer camps are packed with creative art experiences for 4 to 18 year olds. Activities may include working with clay, glass, graphics, metal arts, wearable art, fiber materials, and more. Camps are held at the Delmar studios or the Grand Center studios.Summer camp brochure.

Dave Simon’s Rock School
Band rehearsals, recording studio, private lessons, music appreciation, rock history, song writing, and/or improvisation is offered for students ages 9 to 18. Youth should have at least one month of instrument instruction prior to the beginning of a camp session. Beginners and advanced students are welcome. Located in Olivette.

ArtsINTERsection at New City School Metro Theater Company’s ArtsINTERsection summer camp is for children ages 4 to 11. The camp offers kids a great place to experience art, music, movement, and drama in a safe and warm environment. Classes are taught by experienced, professional artists and are located near Forest Park.